Fundraiser Set Up For Man Severely Burned In Flare Gun Attack

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — Just weeks after moving into their dream home in New Port Richey, the first home either has owned, tragedy struck John Alan Cooke and Michael LaBue.

On Sunday afternoon, Sept. 29, the couple were in their car, headed for a leisurely lunch out. Cooke was backing down their driveway onto Trouble Creek Road when a stranger approached their car.

Cooke stopped the car to find out what he could do for the man, later identified as William Gonzalez, 33, of Hudson. Pasco County deputies said that's when Gonzalez fired a flare gun at Cooke's feet.

Realizing Gonzalez meant them harm, Cooke began to tussle with Gonzalez. When Gonzalez appeared subdued, Cooke got back into the driver's seat and continued to back out of his driveway. Instead of leaving, however, Gonzalez reloaded the flare gun and shot it through the driver's side window, hitting Cooke in the ear, face and hand, causing serious injuries.

"He came up to the window and shot me point-blank," said Cooke.

Gonzalez then opened the driver's side door and pulled Cooke from the driver's seat of the Mercedes sedan. LaBue got out of the passenger-side door and ran to help his partner while Gonzalez got behind the wheel and drove off.

Gonzalez was spotted by deputies at Floramar Terrace and U.S. 19. They began pursuing the Mercedes, which struck three vehicles and a mailbox before crashing at 6727 Trouble Creek Road.

One woman was taken to the hospital with injuries after Gonzalez struck her Nissan Rogue during his attempt to elude deputies.

When they arrested Gonzalez at the crash scene, deputies discovered he was also wanted for a burglary at a New Port Richey home in which he took a kayak.

He was charged with burglary, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, armed carjacking and fleeing to elude.

On Sunday, Cooke and LaBue talked about the crime spree that led to Cooke's two-week stay at the burn unit at Blake Medical Center in Bradenton where he received treatment for a broken jaw and multiple skin grafts for second- and third-degree burns on his face, ear and hand.

"This was supposed to be the best time of our lives," said Cooke. "We were so excited about getting our first home." The couple moved from Philadelphia to New Port Richey six weeks earlier.

Both senior citizens live on fixed incomes. Cooke supplements his income as a massage therapist but can no longer work due to the severe damage to his hand.

Cooke said he owes his life to his new neighbors who hurried over to assist them following the attack, and the deputies, paramedics and staff at Regional Medical Center at Bayonet Point where he was originally taken to be treated for his injuries.

To help the couple with expenses while Cooke recovers, relatives have set up a GoFundMe account.

"While their spirits are remarkably positive for what they have been through, and John’s injuries appear to be healing, John will likely be incapacitated for several months while his skin grafts heal," said LaBue's sister-in-law, Susan Topel-Samek

She said their older-model car was totaled, and they most likely won't receive enough insurance to cover the cost of a replacement vehicle. Additionally, there are a number of other expenses not covered by Medicare including the frequent trips to and from the burn unit as Cooke undergoes reconstructive surgery.

Anyone who can help is asked to donate on the GoFundMe site.

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Related story: Hudson Man Accused Of Shooting Flare Gun At Carjacking Victim